EVALUATION OF THE APPLICATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA) IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT IN AJAOKUTA-OBAJANA GAS PIPELINE PROJECT

This study examined the role of Environmental Impact Assessment [EIA] in project management using the Ajaokuta-Obajana Gas Pipeline Project as a case study. The study assessed the impact of the project on Soil, Water, Air quality, health and socio-economic aspect. The impacts of the project on soil, water, air, health amongst others were examined. Furthermore, the state and quality of follow-up activities specified on the environment management plan [EMP] of Ajaokuta-obajana Gas Pipeline Project were also assessed. Twenty-one [21] communities in Ajaokuta, Adavi and Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi state constitute the host communities and the study area for this research. Seven soil sample site, seven air quality sample site, twelve surface water sample site taken at river Niger, Adavi, Inosi,Inare, Zariagi amongst others; five ground water sample site comprising of borehole and hand dug well and four hundred copies of questionnaires were administered in the study area. Results obtained of air quality parameters such as SO2, CO2, NO2, CO, SO and SPM have their values below the Federal Ministry of Environment [FMEnv.] maximum permitted limits. But Suspended Particulate Matter [SPM] has the value above the limits set by FMEnv. at P1 and P2 that is Ajaokuta Steel Plant and Itakpe Iron ore Mining Company [NIOMCO], which could be attributed to the quarrying and mining activities by these and other companies operating at the locality. The water parameters measures also falls below the Federal Ministry of Environment and the Nigerian Industrial Standards [NIS] except turbidity whose value is well above the maximum permitted limits owing majorly to human activities such as animal crossing amongst others. Furthermore, soil analysis and results shows that there is not any significant negative changes in the composition of the soil properties both physical and chemical as against the baseline report of EIA of the project hence there is not significant impact on the soil to have affected the host communities activities in terms of farming and vegetation. In addition, 87 percent of the respondents agrees that the construction and operation of the Ajaokuta-Obajana Gas Pipeline project has impacted positively on the inhabitants through employment opportunities, cross breeding of ideas and cultural values, improved incomes through wages and cash flow through buying and selling, corporate social responsibility (CRS) such as roads, schools, borehole for water supply amongst others. However, 13 percent maintained that the construction phase of the project generated negative impacts like over-population, encroachment of strange culture, lifestyle and behavious. In conclusion, the result of my findings indicates that the physico-chemical parameters of the soil, air parameters, both surface and ground water parameters falls below the maximum permitted limits by the Federal Ministry of Environment and the fact that 87 percent of the respondents attest to the positive impact of the project shows that it has not generated significant negative impacts on the communities.